In 1866, all the various clans of the Kiowa nation gather together at sacred Rainy Mountain to honor the chief of chiefs, the recently deceased Little Bluff, and to elect his replacement. However, the transition does not go smoothly when Cheyenne Robber, the nephew of one of the leading candidates, is accused of strangling to death Coyote Walking, the nephew of another aspirant. It appears that civil war is imminent. However, the ruling council allows Cheyenne Robber's relatives five days to prove he did not commit the crime during a jealous rage over a woman both showed interest. Skywalker drafts Tay-bodal, a healer who belongs to no band, to prove that Cheyenne Robber is innocent. As Tay-bodal begins to investigate the crime, he knows that circumstantial evidence proves Cheyenne Robber had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill Coyote Walking. Still, he believes the man to be innocent because Cheyenne Robber planned to kidnap White Otter not kill his rival. As he digs deeper into uncovering the facts, Tay-bodal falls in love with a widow and has had several attempts made on his life. Tay-bodal continues to investigate because he knows only he can prevent the holocaust facing his people. Death At Rainy Mountain is a who-done-it with a twist: the entire story revolves around a nineteenth century Native American tribe. The mystery is interesting and Tay-bodal is a great detective, but it is the glimpse at the Kiowa culture that makes this a top notch reading experience. -- Midwest Book Review